(11/2023) It’s that time of the year again when we reflect on what’s happened over the past year and think about the blessings we have. As the leaves change, I look forward to the views of the foliage during my walks and drives in and around Frederick County to recharge and regroup.
In the spirit of the Thanksgiving season, I want to express my gratitude to my administration, all Frederick County Government staff and partner organizations, the residents of Frederick County, my family, and friends. You all add to the social fabric that makes our community vibrant and thriving. I am grateful for the sense of belonging and community that Frederick has to offer.
I made a promise to implement an innovative approach to governing that matches the needs of all residents. My key initiatives unveiled during my State of the County Address last month included a transition dashboard, the Office of Agriculture, and the opening of a 24/7 Walk-in Crisis Care Center.
Transition Dashboard
The public can now track our progress on over 60 recommendations from the Transition Team through our Transition Dashboard. The dashboard lists details of work done to implement each recommendation. You can find the dashboard at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Transition-Dashboard. The site will be updated quarterly so the public can stay up to date on progress.
Office of Agriculture
During my State of the County Address, I was proud to announce the newly created Office of Agriculture, which will centralize and elevate the County’s agricultural functions. The Office will bring together the agricultural land preservation programs and our award-winning Agriculture Innovation Grants program. One of the first tasks for the office will be to update the County’s Agricultural Strategic Plan, which was last published in 2008.
Crisis Care Center
October 26th marked the official opening of our new 24/7 Walk-In Crisis Care Center – a first of its kind in Maryland. The center will support people experiencing mental health or substance misuse crises. In addition, it will provide basic medical care and connect patients to community-based resources for ongoing recovery-oriented services.
Everyone in our community and region deserves support, adequate resources, and a space for well-being. The facility is owned by Frederick County and operated by the Mental Health Association under the direction of the Frederick County Health Department. Day-to-day operations will be supported by opioid settlement payments made to Frederick County.
Frederick continues to be a community where the public and government work together to make the transformational change we deserve for our County! In addition to many firsts, we celebrated a milestone year for the 40th annual Brunswick Railroad Day and celebrated our region’s beauty at Colorfest.
Looking Ahead to November
Among the holiday gatherings come events that make our community vibrant and thriving! Mark your calendars for upcoming Veterans Day Parade in Brunswick, one of the nation’s oldest Veterans Day parades, and various events in and around Frederick County.
